Dodge Dakota

Thank you for contacting the Center for Auto Safety (CAS)
about your Dakota or Durango. The most common complaints on these vehicles
include stalling, transmission woes, paint peeling, and
brake failures.

The Dakota has been a trouble prone truck since Chrysler
introduced it in 1987 to compete with Chevy's S-10 and Ford's Ranger pickups.
The Dakota was redesigned in 1997 but has improved to only average. Introduced
in 1998, the Durango is a Sport Utility Vehicle based on the Dakota. As
other SUV manufacturers move toward less truck like SUVs, the Durango
was outmoded when introduced. The Dakota outperforms the Durango on government
crash tests.

Various transmission troubles, stalling, oil leaks, broken
rear springs, unexplained rear end noise, and power steering leaks are
just a few of the Dakota's defects. Many owners also experience unexplainable
noises from their differentials at normal operating speeds. Chrysler has
issued many Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) and "driveability"
kits in an attempt to cure stalling, surging and hesitation. Chrysler
notified dealers but not owners about these problems. CAS has listed many
of the major TSBs in the enclosed Fact Sheet which tells you how to find
any other TSBs on your vehicle.

Another common complaint on the Dakota is paint that peels
off in large flakes like a bad sunburn. This is particularly common on
1987-93 models with blue, silver and gray paint. CAS has urged Chrysler
officials to extend coverage for this and other factory paint defects
to 6 years and unlimited mileage which is the same as GM adopted at CAS'
urging.

Chrysler advertised the 1998-99 Dodge Dakota R/Ts
towing capacity to be 6,400 pounds but later revised it to 2,000 pounds.
Only after a class action law suit was filed in California, did Chrysler
offer to buy the vehicles back or replace them. Alternatively, Chrysler
offered $500 worth of MOPAR accessories, or a 5-year/60,000 mile extended
warranty.

You'll find more information on these and other Chrysler
truck and SUV below and what you can
do about them plus a complaint box.
Your information will help us build a strong case against Chrysler on
the defects we know about and help us spot new ones.

We need you to support the Center for Auto Safety in our fight for consumer
rights and against poorly designed and unsafe cars. Your contribution
is tax-deductible and
entitles your to our quarterly newsletter, Lemon Times. Please
submit the membership form along with your
contribution and complaint. If you contribute $35 or more, we will send you the current edition of The Ultimate Car Book, by Jack Gillis. Every home should have this
invaluable consumer guide.

Sincerely,

Clarence M. Ditlow
Executive Director

CHRYSLER DAKOTA & DURANGO FACT SHEETSee reverse side on how to obtain Technical
Service Bulletins listed in brackets below.

Body/PaintInfo on wind noise, water leaks
or bad paint, go to Chrysler Paint.